I've watched quite a few of Lake Speed's videos on the subject, and it got me wondering. Wife has a 2016 Colorado with the 2.5L 4 cyl. It specifies 5W20 on the cap. Has good oil pressure. In light of all this, I am wondering if it would be prudent to switch it over to a 5W30 oil? We intend on keeping it until it dies. Unit just turned over 40K miles and is used mostly for short trips, although we just went on a 2,000 mile trip with it. We are in Florida.
In light of GM's recent viscosity change for the 6.2 V8
- Thread starter Pick73
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I wouldn't apply a manufacturing defect for one powerplant across the total lineup of every powerplant made by said manufacturer.
I am just basing this on the fact that they went to 20 wt just for fuel economy reasons and not engine wear.
Running a good synthetic 0W30 or 5W30 would be fine. Does it lug a bit around town? Holding high gears at ~1400rpm for a while? My Outback does this a bit, so I went to 0W30. I don't do oil analysis, but IMO it can't hurt anything and only help. Probably of greater importance on our vehicles is the transmission maintenance, they seem more likely to fail before an oil lubrication related engine problem.
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This has been beat to death - machining error - viscosity change was a band aid to get past the influx of returning vehicles …
My buddy brought his ZR2 in - it was just past the problem era and dealership changed the oil with 0W20 …
Now for 29 pages of GM bashing …
My buddy brought his ZR2 in - it was just past the problem era and dealership changed the oil with 0W20 …
Now for 29 pages of GM bashing …
Ya I get that but the engine was designed to allow for a 20 grade. The fact remains that there are thousands of vehicle running a long life on 20 grades. 20 grades have been around since the 1970's.
My 1957 case tractor specs sae20
I would, because putting 0w20 in a GM V8 is not a manufacturing defect.
I have traditionally followed the manufacturers recommendations regarding oil viscosity pretty closely. I am, however, a bit shocked by the amount of engine problems I am reading about across a long list of manufacturers. Even ones that have enjoyed a sterling reputation over decades. It does give one pause looking over the recall notices and long term reliability problems that are out there. It's made me, for the very first time, look at oil analysis, early break in changes, and even a bump in viscosity as possible preventative measures. When you see friends that are good about maintenance having these issues it makes you wonder.
f1jim
f1jim
I felt the same way initially. Who is this guy with that thing stuck in his lip? After about 5 or 6 videos he started to grow on me. Every video I learned a bit more about the formulation of oils and let his appearance not distract me. But to each their own.
f1jim
f1jim
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